Full-Text Articles in Intellectual History

English Summer Fellows

Measure for Measure has often been called one of Shakespeare’s problem plays, and as recent productions show, Measure’s problems — including sexual coercion and governmental corruption — resonate with readers and audiences today. Recent scholarship has examined sexual abstinence in Measure for Measure in terms of its historical economic and religious context, arguing that protagonist Isabella represents a radical break from merchant economics by opting out of the sexual economy. However, Angelo and the Duke, the play's other central characters, also make claims about the values of abstinence, and those claims are at odds with Isabella's claims. My ...

Atlas of German Folklore

Heinrich Harmjanz writes to Wolfram Sievers in 1944 to thank him for his holiday wishes and for thinking of him. Now in the military, he discusses former colleagues, whether or not to continue the Ahnenerbe folk studies journal, the protection of the Atlas of German Folklore materials during the war, and complexities of publishing.

Dowsing Research

In a letter to Obersturmbannführer Sievers, Dr. Spengler notes that dowsing rod researchers/users were not targeted in action taken against occult groups, but some may have been arrested if they were active in other occult activities. The letter states that the head of the security police and the SD want to meet with these groups to discuss scientific problems related to the occult. It was not expected that research of dowsing rods would be included in the planned work.

Dowsing Research

In a letter dated August 7, 1941, Josef Wimmer asks Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst and Ahnenerbe Reichsgeschäftsführer Wolfram Sievers for information regarding an article in the Journal of Dowsing Rod Research. The article addresses the future of dowsing rod research. Wimmer adds that it is rumored that a research institute will be created to manage future research. He requests information first from Wüst and in the second part of the document, reports that Wüst had no information and asks that Sievers please find out what he can and let Wimmer know.

Dowsing Research

In this letter, Josef Wimmer asks for direction on whether or not to carry out dowsing studies on the mountain Hohenwehen in Hegau. Sievers forwards the note to Rudolf Brandt asking if there are objections and stating that he believes it fine for Wimmer to travel.

Report By Josef Wimmer To The Ahnenerbe Regarding An Investigation In His Apartment By Criminal Police On June 10, 1941, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

This letter from Josef Wimmer to Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst reports on a visit to his apartment by the criminal police. The police interrupted his work day, seized all documents related to dowsing rod research, including his correspondence with the Ahnenerbe. They also confiscated his dowsing rods and magnetic theodolite. He then spent 2 1/2 hours in interrogation at the police station before a call to the state police in Munich led to his release.

Letter From The Personal Staff Of The Reichsführer Ss To Wolfram Sievers, April 10, 1941, Personal Staff Of The Reichsführer-Ss

Dowsing Research

A letter from the office of the Reichsführer-SS to Wolfram Sievers regarding dowsing rods. The letter states that a report from the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD is attached and expresses the wish of the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, to continue discussing the reorganization of dowsing rod research in conjunction with the Reich Main Security Office. It is asked that certain points be clarified and the document returned.

Dowsing Research

In this letter from Reinhard Heydrich to Heinrich Himmler, Heydrich summarizes the books confiscated from the publisher J. Huber and lists his recommendations based on the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing and the assessment conducted by Josef Wimmer. The document includes notes on the side in response to the recommendations. It is also noted the Dr. Lutz of the Propaganda Ministry does not need to be involved in these discussions as a middleman.

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To The Reich Main Security Office, December 2, 1940, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

This note from Wolfram Sievers to the Reich Main Security Office accompanied forwarded documents related to dowsing - a letter to the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) and a position paper by Josef Wimmer of the Ahnenerbe Department of Applied Geology.

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Rudolf Brandt, November 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe

Dowsing Research

In this letter to Rudolf Brandt of the Reichsführer-SS's personal staff, the writer states that Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst has spoken to Dr. Lutz regarding dowsing rods and pendula and therefore it is not necessary for Brandt to reply to Lutz himself. Additionally, it is stated that the attachment includes the Ahnenerbe position on the prohibition of documents on dowsing and pendula in a letter from 11/20/40 which was sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD.

Dowsing Research

This letter from Wolfram Sievers to Reinhard Heydrich summarized the assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing, pendula, and astrology by Josef Wimmer of the Department for Applied Geology. Sievers notes the principles used for assessment: first, that recent research has led to great progress on the dowsing question and physical causes related to the sidereal pendulum may also soon be understandable; second, the dowsing literature does contain false reports and mistakes, but also much that has been scientifically proven - the task at hand, therefore, is to sift the literature and separate out that which is valuable and prevent bad ...

Dowsing Research

Note from Josef Wimmer to Wolfram Sievers accompanying Wimmer's commentary on a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing and a report from the SD. Wimmer asks that his assessment be forwarded to the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler.

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, October 31, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

A request from a representative of the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD (Reinhard Heydrich) to the Ahnenerbe for an update on the review of dowsing and pendulum documents expressing the hope that this activity can be completed shortly, as they must report to the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler).

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to astrology. He recommends the release of two documents, Astronomical Ephemeris for the year 1940 and Abdias Trew's Layout plan for reformed astrology. The sequestration is recommended to be upheld for Planet Signatures by Thomas Ring and The New Planet Pluto by Fritz Brunhübner. Wimmer remained undecided about a final document, The Dynamics of the Cosmos by H.H. Reinsch.

Report By Josef Wimmer On The Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing And The S.D. Report, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In this report, Josef Wimmer adds his opinion on first, the position paper by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and proposes official measures to protect the practice and empower the association and second, a report from the SD in response to the Reich Association petition. Wimmer responds to criticism of dowsing included in the SD report while also recognizing sources of error that the Reich Association training fails to address. He concludes with proposals that would reorganize the association and strengthen the training and oversight capacities, placing the association within the oversight of the Ahnenerbe and encouraging ...

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing rods and pendula. He describes nine documents and provides his own opinion on their value. He recommends the release of seven documents, the classification of one (Baron von Pohl's Earthly Radiations as Pathogen) and the sequestration of one (F. Kallenberg's "Revelations of the Sidereal Pendulum". He additionally comments on the state of dowsing rod research and the principles he used to assess the documents. Finally, he states that the Ahnenerbe should be consulted on ...

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Walther Wüst, September 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe

Dowsing Research

In a letter written on behalf of Wolfram Sievers, it is requested that the requested assessment of dowsing rod documents be completed as soon as possible as the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD Reinhard Heydrich is eager to find a solution.

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, August 13, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

This letter accompanies documents seized during the sequestration of occult literature. It is noted that the Reich Association for Dowsing requested the release of the books and the letter writer asks that the Ahnenerbe provide a statement of opinion on the documents in question.

Dowsing Research

Writing to Reinhard Heydrich, Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and of the SD, Josef Wimmer summarizes a letter from Paul Beyer of the Reich Association for Dowsing, in which Beyer states that dowsing is useful in many areas and offers examples from his own experience. Wimmer references his own response to a prior document. He states that the regulation of dowsing is planned for the period following the end of the war, but transitional provisions could be made in agreement with the Ahnenerbe for the time being to allow the use of dowsers for economic and military purposes.

Note From Rudolf Brandt Representing The Reichsführer-Ss Himmler To Reinhard Heydrich And The Ahnenerbe, July 23, 1940, Rudolf Brandt

Dowsing Research

In this note sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD and to the Ahnenerbe, Rudolf Brandt as a representative of the Reichsführer-SS states that he is sending to the recipients copies of a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing regarding the confiscation of literature on dowsing and pendula. He mentions in particular works published by J. Huber in Diessen vor München as well as a book from Baron von Pohl on earth radiation as a pathogen. He conveys the opinion of the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler, that the works should be released and the Ahnenerbe consulted on ...

Letter From Paul Beyer To Heinrich Himmler, July 12, 1940, Paul Beyer

Dowsing Research

In this letter, Dr. Paul Beyer writes to Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer-SS and Head of the German Police regarding the confiscation of literature related to dowsing and pendula. He relates his attempts to address the confiscation with Dr. Koch of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, who ordered the confiscation. He requests that Himmler abolish the program and proposes the creation of a department dealing specially with dowsing questions which would benefit from Himmler's protection.

Dowsing Research

A letter from Wolfram Sievers, managing director of the Ahnenerbe, to Walther Wüst, curator of the Ahnenerbe. Sievers states that he is forwarding a letter from the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD as well as a letter from Dr. Paul Beyer which includes the document "My Successes with Dowsing Rods". Sievers asks that Wüst take action in forwarding the documents to Josef Wimmer, as the meeting they had planned had not yet taken place. A handwritten note from Wüst confirms this transaction.

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, May 31, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

This letter, composed on behalf of the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD Reinhard Heydrich, was written to accompany a document forwarded to the Ahnenerbe. The document in question is Paul Beyer's "My Successes with Dowsing Rods". The writer notes that nothing is known of Baron von Leesen and the Ahnenerbe should deal with the document as circumstances require.

Dowsing Research

The July/August 1939 issue of the Journal of Dowsing Rod Research, published by the Reich Association for Dowsing. Paul Beyer, Chair of the association, wrote (in other documents in this collection) to the Ahnenerbe, Himmler and Heydrich requesting support for dowsing and the association. This particular issue includes an article by Josef Wimmer, Head of the Department of Applied Geology within the Ahnenerbe.

Journal of Dowsing Rod Research, organ of the Reich Association for Dowsing

Dowsing Research

In this memo, Wolfram Sievers reports changes to be made to proposals made in a report on dowsing based on a telephone conversation with SS-Sturmbannführer Ehlich. The note at the bottom forwards the memo to Josef Wimmer who is in possession of the paper in question.

Report On The Visit Of Dr. Wentzel On June 6, 1939, Unknown

Dowsing Research

This report on a visit to Berlin by Dr. Wetzel notes progress in scientifically determining physical causes for the dowsing rod phenomenon and laments the rejection of dowsing by experts due to activities by "dilettantes and frauds", whose activities should be stopped through official measures.

Wetzel expressed a desire for the Association for Dowsing to come under the umbrella of the German Police with the protection of the Reichsführer-SS, possibly within the Ahnenerbe. He compares dowsing research to World Ice Theory research, both facing opposition from government and party officials which could discourage researchers.

Dowsing Research

This report from the SD responds to the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and asks for measures to regulate dowsing and empower the association in its oversight capacities.

The SD response begins with a summary of the arguments made by the Reich Association for Dowsing which refers to dowsing successes and outlines obstacles in the form of hostility from the science community, lack of resources, and the detrimental effect of "wild dowsers" on the overall reputation of the practice.

The paper then explores the organization itself, noting that it is based on a system of ...